Meath Forum

2019 Meath Hurling Predictions

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Mayo beat Meath in Trim a few years ago when Ennis was manager and beat by Armagh two years in a row. I am stating that the selection of the team was strange and I was talking to one of the players yesterday ,they said that Kelly and Healy played well in the forward line and won a lot of possession. We need to stay in 2A we just have to. I am worried that we will get it hard to beat london and if we dont we could be in trouble. We need to battle hard for every minute of every match left in the league as if we don't beat London and Mayo and Meath don't win another match it will go to score average to determine who is relegated to 2B. Remember in Leinster two years ago Meath beat kerry, got hammered by Laois and lost to Westmeath by 2 points and got relegated by score average I think it was four points.

gardentree (Meath) - Posts: 194 - 29/01/2019 12:21:59    2160680

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Replying To gardentree:  "Mayo beat Meath in Trim a few years ago when Ennis was manager and beat by Armagh two years in a row. I am stating that the selection of the team was strange and I was talking to one of the players yesterday ,they said that Kelly and Healy played well in the forward line and won a lot of possession. We need to stay in 2A we just have to. I am worried that we will get it hard to beat london and if we dont we could be in trouble. We need to battle hard for every minute of every match left in the league as if we don't beat London and Mayo and Meath don't win another match it will go to score average to determine who is relegated to 2B. Remember in Leinster two years ago Meath beat kerry, got hammered by Laois and lost to Westmeath by 2 points and got relegated by score average I think it was four points."
Meath are gone back again.... 2 years ago they were better and looked to be settling down into something concrete and were kind of unlucky in the championship.... This time two years ago I was thinking they were going to be stronger by now but it didn't develop

preddan (Kildare) - Posts: 735 - 29/01/2019 14:13:42    2160728

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Replying To preddan:  "Meath are gone back again.... 2 years ago they were better and looked to be settling down into something concrete and were kind of unlucky in the championship.... This time two years ago I was thinking they were going to be stronger by now but it didn't develop"
I agree with everything you say. We have used the time since we won the Christy Ring badly. Unlucky the first year when we beat Kerry but early in that game we lost Damien Healy who had been our best defender over the past few years and his loss was badly felt v Laois. In the final game we lost by two to Westmeath. Finished level on the table with both Westmeath and Kerry, the former went through to the Championship proper and we were threatened with relegation on score difference. In the meantime Carlow went up by beating Antrim in the Christy Ring and the GAA in its desire to be nice to Antrim again decided to also promote them and leave us down but in fairness to our County Board, they cried halt and 6 teams were admitted to the new Joe McDonagh Cup the next year - 2018 - with the bottom team (Meath) and second last team (Antrim) to playoff against the Christy Ring winners. In the 2018 campaign under new management, we lost all games. Only performances were against Carlow away where we ran out of steam and against Kerry where a sending off adversely affected a heartwarming display.

In the meantime hurling was not administered as well as it could have been within the county. The u21 team suffered a lot from the late appointment of a management team, withdrawal of players and disgraceful refereeing in the s/f v Derry. Then there was a lot of dissatisfaction with how a knock out Cup competition was run with Leinster Council ruling against our CCC because they excluded teams that had entered it.

So all in all things have definitely not improved since we won the Christy Ring (twice) in 2016.

MillerX (Meath) - Posts: 1062 - 29/01/2019 22:30:42    2160826

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last years club championship was the best in years , not much point compare that with the county teams decline

think its fairly easy to see why things are not right , quick read of last years forum tells alot

hurlit (Meath) - Posts: 415 - 30/01/2019 09:39:43    2160859

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The hurlers work from a small pool of players , with very little come through each year
Alot of injuries this year which is fair enough
When one of your main clubs is holding back players from going in it does not help

That said compete in joe mcdonagh cup and compete in div 2a is where they are at with full squad
christy ring and 2b is a disaster

hurlit (Meath) - Posts: 415 - 30/01/2019 11:13:49    2160879

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Replying To hurlit:  "The hurlers work from a small pool of players , with very little come through each year
Alot of injuries this year which is fair enough
When one of your main clubs is holding back players from going in it does not help

That said compete in joe mcdonagh cup and compete in div 2a is where they are at with full squad
christy ring and 2b is a disaster"
What club is holding back players from playing with Meath this season ???
I don't believe any club are doing that .
Name and shame if they are HURLIT

gardentree (Meath) - Posts: 194 - 30/01/2019 13:35:30    2160926

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Replying To hurlit:  "The hurlers work from a small pool of players , with very little come through each year
Alot of injuries this year which is fair enough
When one of your main clubs is holding back players from going in it does not help

That said compete in joe mcdonagh cup and compete in div 2a is where they are at with full squad
christy ring and 2b is a disaster"
what club is holding back players? there are players missing and most are accounted for.

it must be noted that some players decide to put their career first, or the commitment required is too much and they don't enjoy it.

the turnover of players over the last 2 years on the meath football panel has been bigger than hurlers, but football team have bigger pool to pick from and can replace these players. Hurlers haven't got the strength and depth.

overthehill72 (Meath) - Posts: 334 - 30/01/2019 14:23:47    2160945

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waste of good timber

thelutch (Meath) - Posts: 1047 - 30/01/2019 18:02:53    2161012

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Replying To gardentree:  "What club is holding back players from playing with Meath this season ???
I don't believe any club are doing that .
Name and shame if they are HURLIT"
The same club that had no players on the meath u21 panel last year
As they were concentrate on "club championship"

The dog on the street knows , im not sure how some posters on here dont

hurlit (Meath) - Posts: 415 - 31/01/2019 09:42:40    2161113

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Replying To hurlit:  "The same club that had no players on the meath u21 panel last year
As they were concentrate on "club championship"

The dog on the street knows , im not sure how some posters on here dont"
Interesting that only one player from Managers club in on squad. Better performance yesterday, Ref robbed us of a point.

gardentree (Meath) - Posts: 194 - 04/02/2019 14:22:41    2162513

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Replying To gardentree:  "Interesting that only one player from Managers club in on squad. Better performance yesterday, Ref robbed us of a point."
Great performance I thought. A bit harsh saying the ref robbed us of a point. Too slack with the last puc out, but then it seemed to be policy not to really push up on their puc-outs although we gat a point at the end of the first half when Kevin Keena disposed their corner back. I'm not a great fan of the sweeper system though, I hate it in fact so, I won't give out too much as everybody seems to think it's the way forward, excuse the pun, I would just hate to be a forward in the present game.

MillerX (Meath) - Posts: 1062 - 04/02/2019 15:28:11    2162536

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Replying To MillerX:  "Great performance I thought. A bit harsh saying the ref robbed us of a point. Too slack with the last puc out, but then it seemed to be policy not to really push up on their puc-outs although we gat a point at the end of the first half when Kevin Keena disposed their corner back. I'm not a great fan of the sweeper system though, I hate it in fact so, I won't give out too much as everybody seems to think it's the way forward, excuse the pun, I would just hate to be a forward in the present game."
I think the game has evolved a lot more now than what your comment suggests. Playing a sweeper isn't necessarily a means of having an extra defender. It can be a means of having an extra outlet to work the ball up the field. Analysis on League Sunday showed how Limerick use a lot of men in defence to work the ball up the field to the forwards advantage. I think that unless you have a team full of exceptional talent (i.e. Kilkenny 2008) you need to pick a style of play/system that suits the players you have available, particularly when you're the underdog.

We played Antrim 15 on 15 last year and got bet out the gate. Know your limits.

begining (UK) - Posts: 300 - 05/02/2019 13:47:47    2162746

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Replying To begining:  "I think the game has evolved a lot more now than what your comment suggests. Playing a sweeper isn't necessarily a means of having an extra defender. It can be a means of having an extra outlet to work the ball up the field. Analysis on League Sunday showed how Limerick use a lot of men in defence to work the ball up the field to the forwards advantage. I think that unless you have a team full of exceptional talent (i.e. Kilkenny 2008) you need to pick a style of play/system that suits the players you have available, particularly when you're the underdog.

We played Antrim 15 on 15 last year and got bet out the gate. Know your limits."
Ah now I did acknowledge that it appears to be the modern way, however why then did Antrim waltz through for the first goal in particular? 14 seconds on the clock and they were in! Antrim worked the ball up along the sideline and away from our sweeper(s) rendering him ineffective. If memory serves me correctly it was Antrim that were first to pull a man back in Navan last year and we were destroying them, free defenders were sending great ball in to Alan Douglas and Gavin McGowan and both hit the net, we were flying then Antrim went man on man, closed down on our backs and the diagonal ball to the ff line dried up and they just took off.

Having said that we were unlucky last Sunday and could have taken it. Hopefully we can take London at home which should keep us up. But eventually if you are up there you must push for honours.

MillerX (Meath) - Posts: 1062 - 05/02/2019 23:15:38    2162879

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Replying To MillerX:  "Ah now I did acknowledge that it appears to be the modern way, however why then did Antrim waltz through for the first goal in particular? 14 seconds on the clock and they were in! Antrim worked the ball up along the sideline and away from our sweeper(s) rendering him ineffective. If memory serves me correctly it was Antrim that were first to pull a man back in Navan last year and we were destroying them, free defenders were sending great ball in to Alan Douglas and Gavin McGowan and both hit the net, we were flying then Antrim went man on man, closed down on our backs and the diagonal ball to the ff line dried up and they just took off.

Having said that we were unlucky last Sunday and could have taken it. Hopefully we can take London at home which should keep us up. But eventually if you are up there you must push for honours."
Nick said in paper today that Jack Regan asked the ref what was left to play just before he took that free which he got the goal from, the ref told Jack that his free was the last puc of the match. So the ref let the puc out go ahead and Antrim scored he winner. This was blatant cheating by the ref, to tell a player that it was the last puc of the match and then let play go on for another minute is cheating. Nick was right in his comments about Antrim receiving better treatment that the likes of Meath. Just look at the facts, They could not win the Christ ring cup , they were in it for two years and could not win it , what happens they get promoted to the Joe Mac cup ignoring the fact that they had not won the CR cup. What happens then the powers that be make a rule that the bottom team get relegated automatically(Meath) and the second to bottom play the CR cup winners 6 day after they win the Ring cup. Who is second last ??? yes good old Antrim who then play Kildare who had won the CR cup and Antrim stay up in the Joe cup. Kildare stay in the CR cup for 2019. So Kildare win the CR cup and can not get promoted. Antrim can not win in two years in a row and get promoted and get a second chance to stay up in 2018. Its a farce that they get preferential treatment they always have. Last sunday we were robbed by the REF and that s facts.

gardentree (Meath) - Posts: 194 - 06/02/2019 13:42:57    2162980

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Replying To gardentree:  "Nick said in paper today that Jack Regan asked the ref what was left to play just before he took that free which he got the goal from, the ref told Jack that his free was the last puc of the match. So the ref let the puc out go ahead and Antrim scored he winner. This was blatant cheating by the ref, to tell a player that it was the last puc of the match and then let play go on for another minute is cheating. Nick was right in his comments about Antrim receiving better treatment that the likes of Meath. Just look at the facts, They could not win the Christ ring cup , they were in it for two years and could not win it , what happens they get promoted to the Joe Mac cup ignoring the fact that they had not won the CR cup. What happens then the powers that be make a rule that the bottom team get relegated automatically(Meath) and the second to bottom play the CR cup winners 6 day after they win the Ring cup. Who is second last ??? yes good old Antrim who then play Kildare who had won the CR cup and Antrim stay up in the Joe cup. Kildare stay in the CR cup for 2019. So Kildare win the CR cup and can not get promoted. Antrim can not win in two years in a row and get promoted and get a second chance to stay up in 2018. Its a farce that they get preferential treatment they always have. Last sunday we were robbed by the REF and that s facts."
You're getting a bit deep on the conspiracy theories there.

1.Meath were to be relegated for 2018 but the format was changed to include them, was that favouritism?

2. Congress set out the competition format in 2017. Do you honestly think they had psychic powers to predict Antrim would finish 2nd last in the Joe McDonagh Cup a year later, and so tailored the format to suit them?

CastleBravo (Meath) - Posts: 1643 - 06/02/2019 14:18:58    2162985

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The sweeper system employed in the game saw Meath play most of the game with 4 forwards. This ensured a lot of high ball into the forward line was dealt with simply by the Antrim backs. Not sure where the spare Meath players were for the goals. Antrim employed a short puckout strategy for all of the game and Meath were caught out continually as the forwards had been withdrawn. On the short puck out, the Antrim fullback dropped the ball a number of times in the first half and had time to pick it up and play a pass. If the opposition are employing this strategy, why not push up and make the puck outs fifty challenge balls? Rather than 100% possession balls. Meath worked extremely hard throughout the game and pressurized in most areas except on Antrim puck outs. The team started to play smart about 15 minutes from the end when low balls were driven into the forwards giving them a better chance of collection. An unfortunate day at the office, but a determined performance by the players on the pitch. They now have a baseline to work from. The decision making needs to be quicker on and of the field and the speed of the game increased on the park as well. Use the Cody method, the man in the better position gets the ball. All of this they can work on.

3feetoftimber (Meath) - Posts: 113 - 06/02/2019 18:06:20    2163049

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Replying To 3feetoftimber:  "The sweeper system employed in the game saw Meath play most of the game with 4 forwards. This ensured a lot of high ball into the forward line was dealt with simply by the Antrim backs. Not sure where the spare Meath players were for the goals. Antrim employed a short puckout strategy for all of the game and Meath were caught out continually as the forwards had been withdrawn. On the short puck out, the Antrim fullback dropped the ball a number of times in the first half and had time to pick it up and play a pass. If the opposition are employing this strategy, why not push up and make the puck outs fifty challenge balls? Rather than 100% possession balls. Meath worked extremely hard throughout the game and pressurized in most areas except on Antrim puck outs. The team started to play smart about 15 minutes from the end when low balls were driven into the forwards giving them a better chance of collection. An unfortunate day at the office, but a determined performance by the players on the pitch. They now have a baseline to work from. The decision making needs to be quicker on and of the field and the speed of the game increased on the park as well. Use the Cody method, the man in the better position gets the ball. All of this they can work on."
Agree. Once in the first half Kevin Keena put pressure on a corner back (at the swimming pool/road corner) and we ended up getting a point. This should have sent a signal to the management and the players that there were scores to be got by pushing up on the puck outs particularly to cornerbacks. Even if we had five forwards we could have pushed up more successfully as I doubt they would go short down the center.
However the lads worked their socks off and kept going, I was delighted with that.

MillerX (Meath) - Posts: 1062 - 07/02/2019 11:11:49    2163152

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Replying To CastleBravo:  "You're getting a bit deep on the conspiracy theories there.

1.Meath were to be relegated for 2018 but the format was changed to include them, was that favouritism?

2. Congress set out the competition format in 2017. Do you honestly think they had psychic powers to predict Antrim would finish 2nd last in the Joe McDonagh Cup a year later, and so tailored the format to suit them?"
only thing you can really throw at antrim is the christy ring final loss that got them promotion
they changed rules mid season when they saw how strong carlow were

kildare play off last year was a disgrace also , but could have been meath played them very easy instead

hurlit (Meath) - Posts: 415 - 07/02/2019 12:03:54    2163162

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Replying To CastleBravo:  "You're getting a bit deep on the conspiracy theories there.

1.Meath were to be relegated for 2018 but the format was changed to include them, was that favouritism?

2. Congress set out the competition format in 2017. Do you honestly think they had psychic powers to predict Antrim would finish 2nd last in the Joe McDonagh Cup a year later, and so tailored the format to suit them?"
why did they promote Antrim when they could not win the Christ Ring ?
When Antrim and Carlow reached the CR Final in 2017 croke park announced that both finalist would be promoted.
Would it be fair to Meath to be relegated to CRC and Antrim who lost the final two years in a row and who could not beat Meath and they got two chances to do that.
It is total favouritism to promote Antrim and only for the County board kicked up stink about it Meath would have been relegated and bypassed by a team that could not win the CRC .
Not conspiracy theory , fact as the happened.

gardentree (Meath) - Posts: 194 - 07/02/2019 13:30:00    2163201

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Replying To hurlit:  "only thing you can really throw at antrim is the christy ring final loss that got them promotion
they changed rules mid season when they saw how strong carlow were

kildare play off last year was a disgrace also , but could have been meath played them very easy instead"
Hurlit you are correct. The GAA wants Antrim as high up in the divisions as they can get them.

gardentree (Meath) - Posts: 194 - 07/02/2019 13:33:08    2163202

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